The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of March 13, 2022 - March 19, 2022.
March 13, 2022
- Grand Theft (catalytic converter):
1300 Block of Maynard Drive. Between 03/11/22 at 8:00 pm and 03/13/22 at 8:45 am suspect(s) unknown stole the catalytic converter to the victims parked vehicle a gray 2019 Toyota Tacoma. Loss was approximately $3,000. No surveillance video available.
March 14, 2022
1164 Huntington Drive (Galley Fish Grill). On 03/14/22 at 8:15 pm the suspect an ex-employee of the location arrived and began to argue with the victim. The argument escalated at which point the suspect threw a glass mug at the victim striking him in the forehead. Deputies responded and arrested the suspect. Video surveillance available.
900 Block of Mount Olive Drive. Between 03/12/22 6:00 pm and 03/14/22 1:00 pm suspect(s) unknown entered the victims unlocked vehicle a white 1999 Chevy 1500 van. Suspect(s) unknown stole miscellaneous tools and his stereo. Loss was approximately $4,000. No surveillance video available.
1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On 03/14/22 at 3:30 pm two unknown suspects entered the location and went directly to the area of the store where electronics are displayed. The suspects selected a television and a speaker system and walked them out the store without attempting to purchase the items. Once the suspects went outside, they left the location in an unknown direction. Loss was approximately $2,500. Video surveillance available.
1600 Duarte Road. Between 03/12/22 2:30 pm and 03/14/22 6:00 am suspect(s) unknown stole the victims parked vehicle a green 2019 Gator utility vehicle. No surveillance video available. Vehicle outstanding.
March 15, 2022
- Grand Theft (Catalytic converter):
500 Block of Mel Canyon Road. Between 03/14/22 4:30 pm and 03/15/22 6:45 am suspect(s) unknown stole the catalytic converter to the victims parked vehicle a red 2013 Toyota Prius. Loss was approximately $2,000. No surveillance video available.
March 16, 2022
March 17, 2022
1312 Duarte Road (La Paloma). On 03/17/22 at 7:20 pm the victim responded to the location with his friend after pinging his phone, which he had left in his vehicle when it was stolen. Upon arrival he observed his stolen vehicle which had one occupant inside. The victim approached the vehicle and contacted the driver and demanded his vehicle back. The suspect in the driver seat produced a knife with an approximate 12” blade and told the victim he would kill him as he swung the knife in his direction. The suspect exited the vehicle and began waving the knife at the victim and his friend. The victim attempted the help his friend and a struggle ensued for the knife. The victim was able to knock the knife away at which point they held the suspect down pending the arrival of Deputies.
2745 Huntington Drive (We Pack It All). On 03/17/22 between 2:00 pm and 4:15 pm suspect(s) unknown shattered the front passenger side window and entered the victim’s vehicle a gray 2010 Nissan Murano that was parked at the location. The unknown suspects stole the victim’s purse and its contents. Loss was approximately $300. Surveillance video available.
- Attempt Grand Theft (Catalytic converter):
1800 Block of Broadland Avenue. The victim went outside on 03/17/22 at 11:43 pm when she heard metal being cut from her husbands parked vehicle a 2008 silver Honda element. The unknown suspects were attempting to take the catalytic converter from the victims parked vehicle. The suspect’s fled the area in a dark sedan possibly a Toyota Corolla. Damage was approximately $1,000. Surveillance video available.
1131 Central Avenue (CarMax). On 03/17/22 at 12:22 pm a male Hispanic adult entered the location to test drive a vehicle a gold 2014 Hyundai Elantra. Suspect provided his California Driver license and insurance card and took the vehicle for a 20-minute test drive and never returned. Suspect arrested on 03-20-22. Vehicle recovered.
1500 Block of Duarte Road. On 03/17/22 between 8:10 am and 12:00 pm suspect(s) unknown stole the victims parked vehicle a white 2001 GMC 1500. No surveillance video available. Vehicle outstanding.
March 18, 2022
March 19, 2022
1263 Huntington Drive (Starbucks). On 03/19/22 at 9:30 am the suspect a male black adult 6’ 06” tall, a known problematic transient of Duarte was at the location exposing his penis to customers in the drive-through line. The manager of the location (Victim 1) contacted the suspect and asked him if he could pull up his pants, at which point the suspect yelled profanities and swung a broom at her. The victim called “911” at which point deputies responded. When deputies arrived, the suspect began to vandalize the deputies patrol cars, made advancing threatening movements towards the deputies while holding a metal pole with a blade at the end. The suspect delayed deputies by running away and entering Smart and Final where he began to break glass doors. Deputies used less lethal stun bag and taser to subdue the suspect. Suspect arrested. In total the suspect was charged with a total of 7 charges and there were 13 victims.
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
Cyber Crime Security (Part One):
- Use Strong Passwords- Use different user ID/password combinations for other accounts and avoid writing them down. Make the passwords more complicated by combining letters, numbers, special characters (minimum of 10 characters in total) and changing them regularly.
- Secure Your Computer- Activate your firewall, firewalls are the first line of cyber defense; they block connections to unknown or bogus sites and keep out some types of viruses and hackers.
- Use anti-virus/malware software- Prevent viruses from infecting your computer by installing and regularly updating anti-virus software.
- Block spyware attacks- Prevent spyware from infiltrating your computer by installing and updating anti-spyware software.
- Be Social-Media Savvy- Make sure your social networking profiles (E.G. Facebook, Twitter) are set to private. Be careful about what information you post online.
